Molecular Biology and Evolution, Vol 13, 780-783, Copyright © 1996 by Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution
YH Zhou and WH Li
During higher primate evolution, gene conversion seems to have occurred
often between the red and green photo-pigment genes, which are tandemly
linked on the X chromosome. To understand this phenomenon better, intron 4
sequences of the red and green pigment genes of a male human (an Asian
Indian), a male chimpanzee, and a male baboon were amplified by PCR and
sequenced. The data show that the intron 4 sequences between the two genes
have been strongly or completely homogenized in the three species studied.
Apparently recent gene conversion events have occurred in introns 4 of the
red and green pigment genes in humans and chimpanzees. Two or more
conversion events may have occurred at different times in introns 4 of the
two pigment genes in baboons. The divergence between the two genes is
significantly lower in intron 4 than in exons 4 and 5 in each species,
contrary to the usual situation that introns evolve faster than exons. It
is most likely that strong natural selection for maintaining the distinct
functions of exons 4 and 5 of the red and green pigment genes has acted
against sequence homogenization of these exons.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Gene conversion and natural selection in the evolution of X-linked color vision genes in higher primates
Human Genetics Center, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston 77225, USA. li@hgc.sph.uth.tmc.edu
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